MLB Player News

Manager Tony Vitello said Monday that Webb (knee) will likely be activated from the 15-day injured list to rejoin the rotation for the Giants' series versus the Rockies this weekend at Coors Field, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Vitello had previously indicated that Webb would likely draw a start during the three-game series versus the Diamondbacks to begin the week, but the right-hander looks like he'll have to wait until the weekend before being reinstated. Webb made one a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento this past Friday, allowing one unearned run while throwing 62 pitches over 3.1 innings. Webb has been sidelined since early May due to right knee bursitis.

Mautz will be available out of the bullpen for Monday's game in Milwaukee, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Mautz had been slated to start Sunday's game in Cincinnati in what would've been his major-league debut, but that contest got rained out. The Cardinals have opted to keep Mautz on the active roster for the time being, though Ryan Fernandez is on the taxi squad and could replace Mautz as soon as Tuesday.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that Henderson might not make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Cardinals due to back tightness, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Henderson went five scoreless frames versus the Dodgers his last time out, despite his back tightening up on him after the second inning. Murphy said Monday of Henderson's back issue that "there's reason for concern," adding that the club will "keep a really close eye on it" before determining the righty's readiness for Wednesday's contest. It's unclear who might draw the start Wednesday if Henderson is unable to go, as it could depend on which pitchers are needed in relief in the first two games of the series.

Wicks will start for the Cubs during Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday to take the roster spot vacated by the injured Edward Cabrera (finger) and will also slide into Cabrera's open rotation slot. The left-handed Wicks allowed a total of just one run over his last three starts at Iowa, though that came with a 12:8 K:BB over 15 innings. Wicks is likely to get at least one additional start this weekend in St. Louis, though that could change if he fares poorly Tuesday.

Littell is slated to follow an opener in Monday's game against the Guardians, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Left-hander PJ Poulin will open things for the Nationals before Littell carries the bulk of the workload. Littell had a rough April but has settled in in May, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 7:4 K:BB over 17.2 frames covering two starts and two bulk-relief appearances.

The Reds optioned Petty to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Petty was up as the 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, getting charged with four runs over five frames as a spot starter in the night cap of the twin bill. He's permitted seven earned runs across 10.2 frames during his brief time with the Reds this season. Petty will now rejoin the rotation at Louisville.

Nelson (2-3) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over eight innings against the Rockies. He struck out three.

Nelson was locked in and efficient, holding the Rockies to just one run while completing eight innings for the first time in his career. The right-hander has logged seven-plus innings in each of his past three starts and owns a 2.36 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB across 34.1 innings (five starts) in May. He'll look to stay in the win column next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Mariners.

Perez (2-3) took the loss against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out two across 5.2 innings.

Perez generated only two whiffs in Sunday's start, but he did induce seven groundouts. He limited the Nationals to just one run in his outing, but he was still tagged with the loss due to his Atlanta teammates failing to score until the ninth inning. Perez will bring a 2.70 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 46.2 innings this season into his next start, tentatively slated for next weekend on the road against Cincinnati.

Griffin (6-2) earned the win against Atlanta on Sunday, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out six across six scoreless innings.

It was a strong bounce-back performance from Griffin, who gave up 14 earned runs over his two starts prior to Sunday's game. He was able to get out of a couple of sticky spots -- including a bases-loaded situation in the fourth inning -- to come away with his fourth quality start of the season. Griffin is up to 60 strikeouts on the season, which is second on the Nationals behind Cade Cavalli (61) and 16th in the National League. Griffin will take a 3.63 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 62 innings into his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Padres.

King (4-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks over 3.2 innings against the Athletics. He struck out four.

King wasn't at his sharpest, surrendering a leadoff homer to Carlos Cortes and never settling into a rhythm before losing the zone and being lifted in the fourth inning. Sunday's shaky outing came on the heels of a dominant three-start stretch in which King posted a 0.96 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 18.2 innings. Overall, the right-hander owns a 2.76 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 63:28 K:BB through 62 innings (11 starts) and will look to get back in the win column his next time out, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Nationals.